MIMG New Student Resources: Transfer-Admitted Students

About the MIMG Major (B.S.):

  • The MIMG major includes hands-on laboratory experience in virology or microbiology spanning two quarters. Many MIMG majors are interested in Pre-Health careers, research careers, and/or Grad or PhD programs. Our major prepares students for medicine, biotech, research, public health, and more. 
  • The MIMG major focuses on infectious diseases and immune responses, the study of bacterial and viral mechanisms, and the integration of molecular genetics with microbiological systems. MIMG 101- Introductory Microbiology, MIMG 185A- Immunology, and MIMG Path 1/Research Series are unique requirements to the MIMG major.
  • We recommend checking out MIMG's undergraduate overview, MIMG major requirements, and MIMG career resources to get insight into our major as well.

MIMG Major Preparation/Lower-Division Requirements (Life Sciences Core Curriculum)

  • Students must take each course for a letter grade and earn a C- or better.
  • Key areas:
    • Biology (1 series)
    • Calculus (1 series)
    • Chemistry (1 series)
    • Statistics (1 course)
    • Physics (1 series)

Life Science/Biology Series

All four courses required. 

Calculus Series

1 Calculus series:

***AP/IB credit may apply. If students completed MATH 31A and 31B and these transfer over as a minimum of 12.0 units, MATH 32A can potentially be exempt. 

Chemistry Series

1 Chemistry series:

Statistics Course*

1 course required:

  • STATS 13 or LIFESCI 40

*STATS 10 can be accepted for the STATS 13/LIFESCI 40 MIMG requirement only if students have completed this course at a community college or another institution prior to starting at UCLA. STATS 10 is not considered an equivalent course and is not an accepted alternate otherwise. 

Physics Series

1 Physics series required:

 

MIMG Major Requirements (Upper-Division, 10 Courses Minimum)

Students will complete these upper-division MIMG major requirements by graduation (by the end of your “Degree Expected Term”). 

5 Required Foundation Courses:

  • MIMG 101 - Introductory Microbiology (4 units)

  • CHEM 153A - Biochemistry (4 units)

  • LIFESCI 107- Genetics (5 units)

  • CHEM 153B - or - MIMG 132- Cell Biology (4 units)

  • MIMG 185A- Immunology (5 units)

MIMG Research Series (Two-Quarter Series)

Path 1: Research Immersion Series (Automatic Option)

  • MIMG 103AL - Research Immersion Lab in Virology (5 units) + MIMG 103BL - Advanced Research Analysis in Virology (4 units)

  • -OR-

  • MIMG 109AL - Research Immersion Lab in Microbiology (5 units) + MIMG 109BL - Advanced Research Analysis in Microbiology (4 units)

Path 2 (Independent Research and Application Required):

  • Path 2 requires that students already be working in an MIMG lab or UCLA faculty lab conducting MIMG research. Please see MIMG’s Undergrad. Research Guide for suggested steps and resources. 

  • Path 2 is not guaranteed, and students must apply to Path 2 no later than Fall of their senior year. 

  • Path 2 students are enrolled in 2 classes (seminar + research contract course) per quarter enrolled in Path 2 (4 courses total). 

MIMG Focus Elective #1

Students will choose two total “Focus Electives” to complete from our MIMG Focus Electives list.

Note: Any single course can be used in only ONE category of the major. For example, students cannot use CHEM 153B nor MIMG 132 as both a Foundation course and an elective. If students take both CHEM 153B and MIMG 132, the second course completed will be counted toward the Focus Elective requirement unless requested otherwise. 

MIMG Focus Elective #2

Students will choose two total “Focus Electives” to complete from our MIMG Focus Electives list.

Note: Any single course can be used in only ONE category of the major. For example, students cannot use CHEM 153B nor MIMG 132 as both a Foundation course and an elective. If students take both CHEM 153B and MIMG 132, the second course completed will be counted toward the Focus Elective requirement unless requested otherwise. 

MIMG General Elective #1

Students will choose one total “General Elective” to complete from our MIMG General Electives list.

Note: Any single course can be used in only ONE category of the major. For example, students cannot use CHEM 153B nor MIMG 132 as both a Foundation course and an elective. If students take both CHEM 153B and MIMG 132, the second course completed will be counted toward the Focus Elective requirement unless requested otherwise. 

Pre-Health Planning

What is “Pre-Health”?

  • “Pre-Health” is an umbrella term, referring to the pathways that prepare students for careers in healthcare professions (i.e. medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, dental, physical therapy, veterinary fields, etc.). 
  • UCLA has several Pre-Health services and Pre-Health resources for students. 
  • Pre-Health students MUST consult individual professional schools in addition to UCLA general guidance as professional schools can theoretically change their individual admission requirements at any time. 

Pre-Health Requirements Overview

  • Pre-Health students applying to health professional programs such as medical school will have additional Pre-Health requisite requirements needed for application. Many of these requirements will align with the Life Science Core.
  • Pre-Health students MUST consult individual health professional schools in addition to this general guidance.
  • A.P. coursework does not typically apply toward Pre-Health/Pre-Med requirements. Only community college or four-year institution coursework is considered “college-level” for medical school or Pre-Health purposes.

Pre-Health Requirements 

  • 3 courses of Writing (“W”), English (ENGL), and/or Comparative Literature (COM LIT) courses
  • 3 courses of Math/Calculus and Statistics. This may be covered by Life Science Core requirements depending on your major. 
  • Biology Series with Lab (“1 year of Biology” covered by Life Science Core)
  • Chemistry Series with Labs (i.e. Life Science Core series in addition to Chem 14CL or 30BL - Organic Chem. lab). 
  • Physics Series with Lab (covered by Life Science Core)
  • Students should please review additional requirements by field. 
    • Example: Recommended for Medical School
      • PSYCH 10 (Psychology) - MCAT preparation
      • SOCIOL 01 (Sociology) - MCAT preparation
      • Spanish is recommended for competitiveness, especially if practicing in California. 

Pre-Health Course Planning Requirements Support

Pre-Health Application & Career Planning

Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

MIMG Undergraduate Research

  • All students who enter the major are automatically enrolled in Path 1: MIMG Research Immersion Laboratories, an authentic research experience within a two-course series. We offer two focuses: virology and microbiology. 
  • Students may also engage in research in UCLA faculty member's labs. Please see the MIMG Undergraduate Research Guide for steps and resources on how to get connected to a lab and find research opportunities. MIMG does not place student in labs.
  • There are different options for receiving academic credit and major credit for MIMG research conducted in a UCLA faculty member's lab (including MIMG 99s and 199s, MIMG’s Path 2, and/or MIMG Departmental Honors).
  • Please contact MIMG Advisors to inquire about options for your lab once you are connected to research.

MIMG Major Frequently Asked Questions (“F.A.Q.’s”)

  • What are MIMG’s “Path 1” & “Path 2”?
    • “Path 1” & “Path 2” describe the different ways students can fulfill MIMG’s upper division research requirement for the major. 
  • Can students choose between “Path 1” & “Path 2”?
    • All MIMG students are automatically Path 1, and a majority of MIMG students are Path 1. 
    • Students must already be engaged in MIMG research in a faculty mentor's lab/meet eligibility requirements and apply to Path 2. Path 2 is not guaranteed.

MIMG Individual Advising Sessions: What to Expect During Orientation

  • MIMG advisors will meet individually with incoming transfer-admitted students during UCLA’s New Student Orientation to review incoming MIMG major credit, remaining requirements, and Fall 2026 enrollment recommendations. 
  • These meetings will be brief, and we’ll focus on timely information and key questions regarding Fall 2026 enrollment. 
  • MIMG students will typically take 3* classes (12+ units) per quarter for a full-time courseload. Two classes will be MIMG major requirements, and 1 class will be a non-MIMG/UCLA College requirement. 
  • New Student Advisors (NSAs) can support with timely guidance during your orientation enrollment time. NSAs have training about MIMG requirements and have a copy of your MIMG course recommendations for Fall quarter. 

Advising Support Beginning Fall 2026 Quarter

 

Additional MIMG Student Resources & UCLA Student Resources available on the MIMG Undergraduate website.